Turkey’s currency panic reveals a major downside of Trump’s ‘America First’ policy — and offers an early warning to the Fed

Turkey's currency crisis has lurched on to the global stage, denting European and US stocks as fears of contagion rise.

The country's economy was already in trouble, but the lira's selloff was heavily compounded by Donald Trump's announcement that he was doubling tariffs on Turkish steel and aluminum.

The boomerang market effect showed just how interconnected the global economy and markets remain, making it difficult for Trump to pursue an isolationist stance, and for the Fed to continue raising interest rates.

Turkey’s currency crisis spilled loudly on to the global stage Friday as other markets, including US stocks, took at hit from concern about financial contagion to other countries and banks.

Turkey’s troubles, compounded by a new round of US sanctions, are unlikely to cause any kind of permanent hit to US markets or its economy, but it does offer two cautionary tales, one for President Donald Trump and the other for Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell.

Trump further frayed US-Turkish relations after the president announced via Twitter that he was doubling of tariffs on exports of steel and aluminum from the NATO ally, shoving the Turkish lira down 18% in one day alone to a record low against the US dollar.

As a result of the ensuing panic, the dollar strengthened sharply against major currencies as global investors sought a safe-haven, something that runs directly against Trump’s professed efforts to boost US manufacturing production and exports.

And what about the Fed, which is expected to keep raising interest rates as early as next month? While many of Turkey’s challenges are specific to that country, there are certain characteristics — a heavy debt load following a prolonged, low US interest-rate driven borrowing binge in dollars — broadly shared throughout emerging markets.

While Fed officials are quick to stress they are focused on the domestic economy, any emerging market slump large enough to spill over into Europe or the United States would be significant enough to give policymakers pause about ongoing monetary tightening.

That's particularly true given US inflation has just hit its target after a prolonged undershoot and wage growth that remains stagnant.